A Mother of Many, A Heart of Gold: Remembering Esther Romero
Esther Romero, a woman known for her strong-willed and good-natured disposition, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2023, at the age of 91. With a boundless devotion to family, her life centered around her husband, 10 children, countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be remembered as a source of abundant love. Esther was the rock, the steady hand, the unwavering spirit that held her family together through thick and thin. And on top of it, she was just fun to be around.
Born in 1932 in the rural village of Lasauses, Colo., to Andales Archuleta and Refugio Quintana, Esther faced hardship at a young age due to her parents dying before she reached the age of 15. Taken in by her older sister Manuelita in Silverton, Colo., she grew up to be her own woman. She married Placido Romero in 1950, and together they embarked on a journey to settle a homestead in Los Pinos, N.M., and then on a ranch in Conejos, Colo. — a journey that would fill their lives with the spirit of hard work and the value of family, friends and community.
A woman of many talents, in the kitchen Esther possessed the extraordinary ability to whip up delicious meals at a moment’s notice. To her, making fresh tortillas, enchiladas and green and red chili was just a matter of her daily course; to the recipients it was nothing short of a special treat. In no way timid about taking on big challenges, she put her hands to work outside of the house as well. She expanded and stuccoed the first family home, gardened, ranched and tended to countless animals who would have perished otherwise. A caretaker to the core, in addition to raising ten children she looked after her son Patricio most of his and her life plus welcomed into her home and cared for other relatives when they needed compassionate care.
Though her absence leaves a void in the hearts of those who loved her, her legacy lives on in her family’s resilience, positive dispositions and the unwavering love that binds them together. From Esther comes a collective expansion of a love that will endure for generations.
Esther Romero was preceded in death by her husband, Placido Romero, and son Chris Romero.
She is survived by her children Clara Hupfer, Erwin (Maria) Romero, Valerie Romero, Jody Romero, Phyllis Martinez, Linda Mae Romero, Patsy Romero, Larry (Christopher) Romero and Melvin (Terri) Romero and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins; extended family and friends.
Rosary: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Conejos.
Mass: 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Conejos, followed by a burial at the Ortiz Cemetery and a reception at the parish hall.
Services provided by Romero Funeral Home in Alamosa, where flowers are accepted.
In-honor donations can be made to La Puente Food Bank 719-589-5909.
